rs.inthebestfamelies-第27章

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d　work　through。　You　might　be　one。　I　would　like　to　try。　You　must　know　one　thing：　if　you　once　say　yes　it　bees　impractical　to　change　your　mind。　It　can't　be　done。〃
　　〃You　said；〃　I　objected；　〃you　would　like　to　try。　How　about　my　liking　to　try？〃
　　〃I've　answered　that。　It　can't　be　done。〃　〃It's　already　being　done。　I'm　tailing　Rackham　for　you。　When　he　approached　me　I　took　it　on　myself　to　chat　with　him　and　report　it。　Did　you　like　that　or　not？　If　not；　I'm　not　your　type。　If　so；　let's　go　on　with　that　until　you　know　me　better。　Hell；　we　never　saw　each　other　before。　You　can　let　me　know　a　day　in　advance　when　I'm　to　lose　the　right　to　change　my　mind；　and　we'll　see。　Regarding　my　notion　that　you　want　to　use　me　to　find　Nero　Wolfe；　skip　it。　You　couldn't　anyway；　since　I　don't　know　whether　he　went　north；　east；　south；　or　west。〃
　　I　had　once　remarked　to　Wolfe；　when　X　（our　name　then　for　Zeck）　had　brought　a　phone　call　to　a　sudden　end；　that　he　was　an　abrupt　bastard。　He　now　abruptly　turned　the　shark　eyes　from　me；　which　was　a　relief；　to　reach　for　the　switch　on　an　inter　box　on　his　desk；　flip　it；　and　speak　to　it。　〃Send　Roeder　in。〃
　　〃Tell　him　to　shave　first；〃　I　suggested；　thinking　that　if　I　had　a　reputation　for　a　habit　of　speech　I　might　as　well　live　up　to　it。　Zeck　did　not　react。　I　was　beginning　to　believe　that　he　never　had　reacted　to　anything　and　never　would。
　　I　turned　my　head　enough　for　the　newer　to　have　my　profile　when　he　entered；　not　to　postpone　his　pleasure　at　seeing　me。
　　It　was　a　short　wait　till　the　door　opened　and　Roeder　appeared。　The　sentinel　did　not　e　in。　Roeder　crossed　to　us；　stepping　fiat　on　the　rugs　so　as　not　to　slide。　His　glance　at　me　was　fleeting　and　casual。
　　〃Sit　down；〃　Zeck　said。　〃You　know　Goodwin。〃
　　Roeder　nodded　and　favored　me　with　a　look。　Sitting；　he　told　me；　'Your
　　reports　haven't　been　worth　what　they　cost。〃
　　It　gave　me　a　slight　shock；　but　I　don't　think　I　let　it　show。　I　had　forgotten　that　Roeder　talked　through　his　nose。
　　〃Sorry；〃　I　said　condescendingly。　〃I've　been　sticking　to　facts。　If　you　want　them　dressed　up；　let　me　know　what　color　you　like。〃
　　〃You've　been　losing　him。〃
　　I　flared　up　quietly。　〃I　used　to　think；〃　I　said；　〃that　Nero　Wolfe　expected　too　much。　But　even　he　had　brains　enough　to　know　that　hotels　have　more　than　one　exit。〃
　　〃You're　being　paid　enough　to　cover　the　exits　to　the　Yankee　Stadium。〃
　　Zeck　said；　in　his　hard；　cold；　precise　voice　that　never　went　up　or　down；　〃These　are　trivialities。　I've　had　a　talk　with　Goodwin；　Roeder；　and　I　sent　for　you　because　we　got　to　Rackham。　We　have　to　decide　how　it　is　to　be　handled　and　what　part　Goodwin　is　to　play。　I　want　your　opinion　on　the　effect　of　Goodwin's　telling　Rackham　that　he　is　working　for　Mrs。　Frey。〃
　　Roeder　shrugged。　〃I　think　it's　unimportant。　Goodwin's　main　purpose　now　is　to　get　Rackham　scared。　We've　got　to　have　him　scared　good　before　we　can　expect　him　to　go　along　with　us。　If　he　killed　his　wife…〃
　　〃He　did；　of　course。　Unquestionably。〃
　　〃Then　he　might　be　more　afraid　of　Mrs。　Frey　than　of　you。　We　can　see。　It　not；　it　will　be　simple　for　Goodwin　to　give　him　a　new　line。〃　Roeder　looked　at　me。　〃It's　all　open　for　you　to　Rackham　now？〃
　　〃I　guess　so。　He　told　me　he　wanted　to　see　me　every　day；　but　that　was　day　before　yesterday。　What　are　we　scaring　him　for？　To　see　him　throw　glasses？〃
　　Zeck　and　Roeder　exchanged　glances。　Zeck　spoke　to　me。　〃I　believe　Roeder　told　you　that　he　came　here　recently　from　the　West　Coast。　He　had　a　very　successful　operation　there；　a　brilliant　and　profitable　operation　which　he　devised。　It　has　some　novel　features　and　requires　precise　timing　and　expert　handling。　With　one　improvement　it　could　be　enormously　profitable　here　in　New　York；　and　that　one　improvement　is　the　cooperation　of　a　wealthy　and　well…placed　man。　Rackham　is　ideal　for　it。　We　intend　to　use　him。　If　you　help　materially　in　lining　him　up；　as　I　think　you　can；　your　share　of　the　net　will　be　five　per　cent。　The　net　is　expected　to　exceed　half　a　million；　and　should　be　double　that。〃
　　I　was　frowning　skeptically。　〃You　mean　if　I　help　scare　him　into　it。〃
　　〃Yes。〃
　　〃And　help　with　the　operation　too？〃
　　〃No。〃
　　〃What　have　I　got　to　scare　him　with？〃
　　〃His　sense　of　guilt　first。　He　escaped　arrest　and　trial　for　the　murder　of　his　wife　only　because　the　police　couldn't　get　enough　evidence　for　a　case。　He　is　under　the　constant　threat　of　the　discovery　of　additional　evidence；　which　for　a　murderer　is　a　severe　strain。　If　be　believes　we　have　such　evidence　he　will　be　open　to　persuasion。〃
　　〃Have　we　got　it？〃
　　Zeck　damn　near　smiled。　〃I　shouldn't　think　it　will　be　needed。　If　it　is　needed　we'll　have　it。〃
　　〃Then　why　drag　him　in　on　a　plicated　operation？　He's　worth　what；　three　million？　Ask　him　for　half　of　it；　or　even　a　third。〃
　　〃No。　You　have　much　to　learn；　Goodwin。　People　must　not　be　deprived　of　hope。　If　we　take　a　large　share　of　Rackham's　fortune　he　will　be　convinced　that　we　intend　to　wring　him　dry。　People　must　be　allowed　to　feel　that　if　our　demands　are　met　the　outlook　is　not　intolerable。　A　basic　requirement　for　continued　success　in　illicit　enterprises　is　a　sympathetic　understanding　of　the　limitations　of　the　human　nervous　system。　Getting　Rackham's　help　in　Roeder's　operation　will　leave　plenty　of　room　for　future　requests。〃
　　I　was　keeping　my　frown。　〃Which　I　may　or　may　not　have　a　hand　in。　Don't　think　I'm　playing　hard　to　get；　but　this　is　quite　a　step　to　take。　Using　a　threat　of　a　murder　rap　to　put　the　screws　on　a　millionaire　is　a　little　too　drastic　without　pretty　good　assurance　that　I　get　more　than　peanuts。　You　said　five　per　cent　of　a　probable　half　a　million；　but　you're　used　to　talking　big　figures。　Could　I　have　that　filled　in　a　little？〃
　　Boeder　reached　for　a　battered　old　leather　brief　case　which　he　had　brought　in　with　him　and　deposited　on　the　floor。　Getting　it　on　his　lap；　he　had　it　opened　when　Zeck　asked　him；　〃What　are　you　after；　the　estimates？〃
　　〃Yes；　if　you　want　them。〃
　　〃You　may　show　them　to　him；　but　no　names。〃　Zeck　turned　to　me。　〃I　think　you　may　do；　Goodwin。　You're　brash；　but　that　is　a　quality　that　may　be　made　use　of。　You　used　it　when　you　talked　with　Rackham。　He　must　be　led　into　this　with　tact　or　he　may　lose　his　head　and　force　our　hand；　and　all　we　want　is　his　cooperation。　His　conviction　for　murder　wouldn't　help　us　any；　quite　the　contrary。　Properly　handled；　he　should　be　of　value　to　us　for　years。〃
　　The　shark　eyes　left　me。　〃What's　your　opinion　of　Goodwin；　Boeder？　Can　you　work　with　him？〃
　　Boeder　had　closed　the　brief　case　and　kept　it　on　his　lap。　〃I　can　try；〃　he　said；　not　enthusiastically。　〃The　general　level　here　is　no　higher　than　on　the　coast。　But　we　can't　get　started　until　we　know　whether　we　have　Racldiam　or　not；　and　the　approach　through　Goodwin　does　seem　the　best　way。　He's　so　damned　cocky　I　don't　know　whether　he'll　take　direction。〃
　　〃Would　you　care　to　have　my　opinion　of　Roeder？〃　I　inquired。
　　Zeck　ignored　it。　〃Goodwin；〃　he　said；　〃this　is　the　most　invulnerable　organization　on　earth。　There　are　good　men　in　it；　but　it　all　es　to　me。　I　am　the　organization。　I　have　no　prejudices　and　no　emotions。　You　will　get　what　you　deserve。　If　you　deserve　well；　there　is　no　limit　to　the　support　you　will　get；　and　none　to　the　reward。　If　you　deserve　ill；　there　is　no　limit　to　that　either。　You　understand　that？〃
　　〃Sure。〃　His　eyes　were　the　hardest　to　meet　in　my　memory。　〃Provided　you　understand　that　I　don't　like　you。〃
　　〃No　one　likes　me。　No　one　likes　the　authority　of　superior　intellect。　There　was　one　man　who　matched　me　in　intellect…the　man　you　worked　for；　Nero　Wolfe…but　his　will　failed　him。　His　vanity　wouldn't　let　him　yield；　and　he　cleared　out。〃
　　〃He　was　a　little　handicapped；〃　I　protested；　〃by　his　respect　for　law。〃
　　〃Every　man　is　handicapped　by　his　own　weaknesses。　If　you　municate　with　him　give　him　my　regards。　I　have　great　admiration　for　him。〃
　　Zeck　glanced　at　a　clock　on　the　wall　and　then　at　Roeder。　〃I'm　keeping　a　caller　waiting。　Goodwin　is　under　your　direction；　but　he　is　on　trial。　Consult　me　as　necessary　within　the　routine。〃
　　He　must　have　had　floor　buttons　for　foot…signaling；　for　he　touched　nothing　with　his　hands；　but　the　door　opened　and　the　sentinel　appeared。
　　Zeck　said；　〃Put　Goodwin　on　the　B　list；　Schwartz。〃
　　Roeder　and　I　arose　and　headed　for　the　door；　him　with　his　brief　case　under　his　arm。
　　Remembering　how　he　had　told　me；　tapping　his　chest；　〃I　am　a　D；　Archie；〃
　　I　would　have　given　a　lot　if　I　could　have　tapped　my　own　bosom　and　announced；　〃I　am　a　B；　Mr。　Wolfe。〃
　　
　　17
　　THERE　was　one　chore　Wolfe　had　given　me　which　I　haven't　mentioned；　because　I　didn't　care　to　reveal　the　details…and　still　don't。　But　the　time　will　e　when　you　will　want　to　know　where　the　gun　at　the　bottom　of　the　brief　case　came　from；　so　I　may　as　well　say　now　that　you　aren't　going　to　know。
　　Since　filing　the　number　from　a　gun　has　been　made　obsolete　by　the　progress　of　science；　the　process　of　getting　one　that　can't　be　traced　has　got　more　plicated　and　requires　a　little　specialized　knowledge。　One　has　to　be　acquainted　with　the　right　people。　I　am。　But　there　is　no　reason　why　you　should　be；　so　I　won't　give　their　names　and　addresses。　I　couldn't　quite　meet　Wolfe's　specifications…the　size　and　weight　of　a　。22　and　the　punch　of　a　。45…but　I　did　pretty　well；　a　Carson　Snub　Thirty；　an　ugly　little　devil；　but　straight　and　powerful。　I　tried　it　out　one　evening　in　the　basement　at　35th　Street。　When　I　was　through　I　collected　the　bullets　and　dumped　them　in　the　river。　We　were　taking　enough　chances　without　adding　another；　however　slim。
　　The　next　evening　after　our　conference　with　Zeck；　a　Monday；　Wolfe　and　I　collaborated　on　the　false　bottom　for　the　brief　case。　We　did　the　job　at　1019。　Since　I　was　now　a　B　and　Roeder's　lieutenant　on　his　big　operation；　and　he　was　supposed　to　keep　in　touch　with　me；　there　was　no　reason　why　he　shouldn't　e　to　35th　Street　for　an　evening　visit；　but　when　I　suggested　it　he　pressed　his　lips　and　scowled　at　me　with　such　ferocity　that　I　quickly　changed　the　subject。　We　made　the　false　bottom　out　of　an　old　piece　of　leather　that　I　picked　up　at　a　shoe　hospital；　and　it　wasn't　bad　at　all。　Even　if　a　sentinel　removed　all　the　papers　for　a　close　inspection；　which　wasn't　likely　with　the　status　Roeder　had　reached；　there　was　little　chance　of　his　suspecting　the　bottom；　yet　if　you　knew　just　where　and　how　to　pry　you　could　have　the　Carson　out　before　you　could　say　Jackie　Robinson。
　　However；　something　had　happened　before　that：　my　second　talk　with　Barry　Rackham。　Wlien　I　got　home　late　Sunday　night　the　phone…answering　service　reported　that　he　had　been　trying　to　reach　me；　both　at　1019　and　at　the　office；　and　I　gave　him　a　ring　and　made　a　date　for　Monday　at　three　o'clock。
　　Usually　I　am　on　the　dot　for　an　appointment；　but　that　day　an　errand　took　less　time　than　I　had　allowed；　and　it　was　only　twelve　to　three　when　I　left　the　Churchill　tower　elevator　at　Rackham's　floor　and　walked　to　his　door。　I　was　lifting　my　hand　to　push　the　button；　when　the　door　opened　and　I　had　to　step　back　so　a　woman　wouldn't　walk　into　me。　When　she　saw　me　she　stopped；　and　we　both　stared。　It　was　Lina　Darrow。　Her　fine　eyes　were　as　fine　as　ever。
　　〃Well；　hello；〃　I　said　appreciatively。
　　〃You're　early；　Goodwin；〃　Barry　Rackham　said。　He　was　standing　in　the　doorway。
　　Lina's　expression　was　not　appreciative。　It　didn't　look　like　embarrassm